One Tech Tip: What to know about flying with lithium ion portable battery chargers
If you're flying with a power bank, be aware of the latest rules. Airlines require lithium-ion battery chargers to be in carry-on luggage, not checked bags. Most airlines allow two power banks per passenger, each with a capacity of up to 100 watt hours. Larger batteries need airline approval. These rules are due to safety concerns after incidents involving battery fires. Keeping batteries in the cabin allows crew to act quickly if there's a problem. Avoid using power banks during flights and check for any signs of damage. Always follow airline guidelines to ensure safety.
AI companies are barreling toward huge Wall Street debuts. A look at the biggest players
Some of the leading artificial intelligence companies are moving toward initial public offerings this year at eye-popping valuations. From Anthropic to SpaceX to OpenAI, tech giants are looking to take their shares public to access more capital in the race to shape the technology’s future. But amid the billions — even trillions — at stake, worries about an AI bubble are looming in the background. Some experts fear tech companies and venture capitalists are pouring too much money into a still-nascent and unproven technology.
UN nuclear watchdog says it's been unable to inspect Iranian facilities
VIENNA (AP) — The U.N. nuclear watchdog has been unable to inspect nuclear facilities in Iran affected by the war last June, according to a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. The confidential report, which was circulated to member states and seen Thursday by The Associated Press, comes as tensions have flared again in the Middle East. The IAEA reported that it “cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran or whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities.” Iranian drones damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport Wednesday, killing one person, wounding dozens and briefly closing the airfield — the latest in back-and-forth attacks by Iran and the U.S. that test a fragile ceasefire.
Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on federal regulation of telecom companies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a case about the power of federal regulators over telecommunications companies. In an 8-1 ruling Thursday, the justices preserved one of the Federal Communications Commission’s key enforcement tools. Verizon and AT&T challenged multimillion-dollar penalties imposed after the agency determined that the companies failed to safeguard customer location data. The companies argued that the FCC's process was unconstitutional and they hoped to build on a line of Supreme Court cases limiting the power of federal agencies. The high court disagreed, though after the administration said companies didn't have to pay the fines right away.
EU invests in ocean monitoring as US cuts funding
BRUSSELS (AP) — The EU is expanding its ocean monitoring network with underwater drones and satellites as climate change intensifies heat waves and storms. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, says 92 million euros will fund this effort. Oceans are vital ecosystems covering about 70% of planet Earth, hosting complex webs of life that generate oxygen and absorb greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The EU aims to lead global ocean research and protection. Funds will support oceanic technology incubators and the United Nations' Global Ocean Observing System. By 2035, the EU hopes to cover 35% of Earth's maritime monitoring network.
Energy, water use and pollution of AI and data centers rival most countries
WASHINGTON (AP) — According to a United Nations University report, the environmental footprint of data centers already rivals some of the world’s largest countries. The report also predicts that their water and energy use and pollution will double in just four years as use of artificial intelligence grows. The report issued Wednesday found that last year, global data centers used 448 trillion watt-hours of electricity. The report said that electricity use produced about 208 million tons of carbon dioxide, about the same amount as Argentina. The study focused on energy use and didn’t examine the massive amount of water used to cool data centers.
SpaceX's IPO is set to be the biggest ever and could make Elon Musk a trillionaire
NEW YORK (AP) — SpaceX says it plans to raise up to $75 billion when it goes public this month, setting the stage for the largest-ever stock market debut and putting Elon Musk on course to becoming the world’s first trillionaire. The company, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., said Wednesday it will sell 555.6 million shares at $135 each in an initial public offering. The offering would give SpaceX a market value of $1.77 trillion. Only six companies in the S&P 500 are currently worth more. The estimated proceeds from the SpaceX IPO would easily top the $26 billion raised by oil giant Saudi Aramco in 2019.
UK lawmaker says she is suing Elon Musk's company over fake Grok bikini images
LONDON (AP) — A British lawmaker is suing Elon Musk’s company xAI for invasion of privacy. Jess Asato claims deepfake images of her were created using the Grok chatbot without her consent. She filed a claim Wednesday at the High Court in London, citing misuse of private information. Asato seeks damages and hopes to set a precedent holding companies accountable for AI design. Amid global concern over deepfake pornography, xAI announced in January it would no longer allow Grok users to edit images of real people. Asato argues xAI should be responsible for harm already caused. xAI has been asked for comment.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns foreign AI platforms can be used against Canadians
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is warning that foreign artificial intelligence platforms could be used against Canadians. Carney says Thursday that the defining technology of our era is here and Canada is too dependent on foreign suppliers. He made the remarks in a speech where he unveiled his government’s strategy on AI. Carney warned at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier his year that global hegemons like the United States have used economic integration to bully smaller countries. He noted Thursday that most of Canadians data used in AI goes across the border. As with other forms of economic integration like supply chains, Carney says AI could be weaponized against Canadians.
